You’re sitting in shock, but more than any thought one races toward the front of your mind.

“You never gave your consent!” you exclaim. Rachel looks almost confused, but you continue. “You never said yes. That bastard raped you, and he’s not getting away it. We’ll take his sorry ass to court.” Before you even really know what you’re doing you’re calling a lawyer. He agrees to prosecute John, and things start to snowball. It seems like mere days later that you’re in court, supporting a nervous Rachel. Unfortunately, you never thought to consider the consequences.

It’s a highly publicized case, and it essentially airs all of your dirty laundry. The sexual arrangement with John, the dirty pictures that started the whole thing, even your text conversations are all made public as part of the evidence. The media jumps on such a controversial case with so many elements, and it’s very polarizing. Feminists flock to support Rachel, agreeing with the prosecution that she never gave consent, while others side with the defense, declaring that the blowjob and moaning were nonverbal consent, and she should have said “no” if she wasn’t into it. You and your girlfriend are dragged through the media muck, and you know your lives will never be the same.

Ultimately, the case favors no one. The verdict declares that there isn’t enough evidence to charge John with rape, and that enough consent was implied. Rachel has been publicly shamed and forced to quit her job, and the verdict does nothing to help her. John doesn’t get away without consequence though. He’s fired amid the controversy, and is essentially unhireable for the rest of his life. His wife leaves him, and he’s a poor, broken man. You don’t feel the least bit sorry for him, but it lessens the feeling that he got away with something. In the end, you’re all miserable, and there’s no way to take it back.